More than 2,200 people were vaccinated against flu in just four hours at two Suffolk surgeries.

Patients joined long queues outside the Derby Road Practice in Ipswich and around the corner for its annual walk-in flu immunisation clinic on Saturday.

Meanwhile other patients visited the surgery’s partner practice, Pinewood Surgery, in Shepherd Drive.

A spokesman for the Derby Road Practice said: “We are delighted that so many people came along on Saturday for a free flu jab.

“Our annual walk-in flu clinic is a quick and easy way for patients to get the jab, and this year we gave 1,274 immunisations including influenza, pneumonia and shingles in four hours.

“Our branch site at Pinewood Surgery also administered another 1,000 immunisations on the same day.”

Winter traditionally brings an increase in the number of cases of flu which is a highly infectious viral illness that is spread by coughing and sneezing.

For many people, flu is a nasty illness with the symptoms of headache, fever, sore throat, aching joints and muscles making sufferers retreat to their beds.

But for those in at risk groups, flu can lead to more serious illnesses or in worst cases, death.

People in at-risk groups are entitled to a free flu vaccination from their GP practice. They include people aged 65 or over, pregnant, those living in a long-stay residential care home, carers of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill, frontline health or social workers and children aged two, three and four years.

It is also free to those who have a heart problem, chest complaint, kidney disease, lowered immunity due to disease or treatment, liver disease, had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack, diabetes, neurological condition and a problem with, or removal of, their spleen.

The GP surgery spokesman added: “Although the weather has been very mild lately, people in at-risk groups shouldn’t put off getting a flu jab.

“Any of our registered patients who missed the clinic should contact us via our dedicated flu jab appointment line on 01473 728958, with the lines open 1–4pm Monday to Friday.”